Ola - Principal Scientist
Name:
Ola
Education:
MSc (Chem Eng), PhD
Job title:
Principal Scientist
Department:
Device Chemistry & Biology
“For me the best thing about working at Novo Nordisk is the respect for the individual. Everywhere you see people who contribute to the whole with their exact and unique expertise and that is something I haven’t experienced to this extent in any company ever before.”
I have been working in the pharmaceutical industry for more than twentyfour years with a background in the aerosol field, but my experience comes from many different positions.
I started working for Novo Nordisk more than five years ago and here I have been given the opportunity to take all these bits and pieces into account and participate in developing a pulmonary insulin device from the very beginning.
We give the patients flexibility
Working in the pulmonary field within Novo Nordisk is not just about developing a single device. It is about developing a complete therapy system driven by our commitment to change the course of diabetes. So for me it is a positive challenge where I am increasing my level of expertise in many different areas.
If you compare the pulmonary insulin to insulin injections, the pulmonary insulin means convenience for the patients because it gives them a choice. By shifting focus from injections to pulmonary therapy and offering the possibility to choose between therapy methods, we are able to offer the patients a high level of flexibility.
When different cultures come together
I really enjoy working with different nationalities because people from different cultures think in different ways. The Novo Nordisk working environment ratifies the many possibilities different cultures can give.
You sometimes think: “Hey, I haven’t thought of that in this way,” and to my experience that is a fairly unique situation because it opens up for entirely new possibilities.
Experience is Alpha and Omega
Working in Novo Nordisk is like embarking on a long journey. You never know where it will end. I am allowed to contribute with my experience and Novo Nordisk provides the challenge.
I know what my goal is, but I do not always know how to reach it. That is the scientific challenge. The best way I can best describe it is with a metaphor; Columbus knows how to sail – that is how to get from one continent to another. But he can only imagine what awaits him in the end. That is the beauty of it.